Ralf Mock

NORGATEC GmbH has taken over the distribution and after-sales service support of Hyster materials handling equipment in North Germany.

Hyster general manager Ralf Mock, who is also the managing director of the EMEA division of parent company NMHG, says Norgatec will be "a strong partner that will successfully support [the company] in expanding [its] dealer network".

"Thus, we lay the foundations for the strategic development of our independent network of dealers in Germany, which we continue to grow," Mock says.

Besides distributing Hyster equipment, NORGATEC will also deliver spare parts and offer leasing and financing programs.

Founded in 1993, Hamburg-based NORGATEC employs 55 qualified employees, 25 of whom are service technicians experienced in the forklift business. The dealer claims to hold a strong position in the port of Hamburg and has been supporting customers with its 25 service centres in Northern Germany.

NORGATEC managing director Andreas Küstermann says his company believes its existing customers will rapidly adopt the new forklifts. "Our goal is to increase our marketshare in the region, through our collaboration with Hyster."

Küstermann, who has led NORGATEC since the company was founded 20 years ago, would like to focus on the professional consultancy and service side of the business. "For us, it is essential to guarantee the constant availability of materials handling equipment to the customer."

He adds that that approach is one of the reasons his company had received recognition through "Dealer of the Year" awards and had even been awarded "International Dealer of the Year" before.

Hyster is currently expanding its distribution network in Germany and will announce the names of new dealers in the future.

"NORGATEC is the best example yet of the robust strategy we have underpinning our plan for continued and long-term success in the German market," Mock says.